The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“Code”) has arguably been one of the foremost developments in the Indian financial laws in recent times. While the Code has proven to be (or made to be) contentious in what seems to be almost every aspect of its substance and procedure, a new facet has been added to the realm of concerns under the new insolvency regime. In 2018, having reneged on its obligations under approved resolution plans for Amtek Auto Ltd and Adhunik Metaliks Ltd, Liberty house, the successful bidder or the supposed knight in shining armour for these insolvent firms has opened up the proverbial Pandora’s box of shortcomings and indecisions under…

The Supreme Court of India in the Case of Adjudicating Officer, SEBI Vs. Bhavesh Pabari (“Bhavesh Pabari”)has given an expansive and harmonious interpretation to Section 15-J of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (“SEBI Act”) holding that the factors enumerated under Section 15-J are not exhaustive but rather illustrative factors to be taken into account by the Adjudicating Officer (“AO”) while adjudging the quantum of penalty to be imposed under Section 15-I and that the AO may take note of other factors as well, in the same analysis. In Bhavesh Pabari, the Apex Court had also delved into the question of the conflict of application between Section 15-J and…

The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Ordinance, 2019 (“Ordinance”) has been promulgated by the Hon’ble President of India on 21st February 2019. The Ordinance comes as a substantial step to tackle unregulated and fraudulent deposit schemes in the country that have been able to abuse the Indian “mindset” of savings and their weakness for investment opportunities that sound too good to be true. This article sets out the law and practice under the BUDS Ordinance to elucidate the legal framework behind it. Background Deposit schemes and chit funds are not foreign or new concepts in India. Presently, there is a wide spectrum of deposit schemes, based around the basic premise of…